Ceramics (Sat AM)

This Saturday morning Ceramics course gives students a chance to delve a little deeper in to the wonderful world of clay. Students will learn a range of processes in the first 4 weeks and be able to put them in to practice and perfect them more in the following 4 weeks. We will also be able to gain a better understanding of surface decoration and learn from experiments and results from the kiln.
The course is fairly flexible for you to build pieces that you need or want in your home, garden or to give as gifts. A lesson and demonstration will be given to beginners to start the lesson, then individual attention given to each student to help progress their chosen projects.
Students should approach the course with some ideas of things they would like to make in mind. Some sketched ideas will put you in a good position to achieve your expectations of the course, no matter how basic the drawings may be. Pinterest is a great place to start. If you would rather bring some print-outs of ceramic work that you like, this is also fine.
Students should bring at least one of the following items to the first lesson in the form of a sketch/photograph/print-out:
·One or more ceramic item(s) you like
·Surfaces and/or patterns
·Forms and/or shapes that you find inspiring
Total beginners are very welcome and will be guided through various techniques including pinch, coil and slab building techniques. Surface decoration will also be examined. Several electric potters wheels are available in the studio for students to use, as well as an extensive range of glazes. Learning through controlled experimentation is encouraged.
More advanced students are free to work on projects of their own, and are encouraged to ask for help and advice when needed.
We offer a great, focused and friendly environment to expand your knowledge and confidence in Ceramics. The work will be available for you to collect after the course has finished and it has been finally fired in the kiln.
Please make sure you bring a notebook and a pen (preferably a felt tip as ballpoints tend to get clogged with the clay dust), so you can write down the steps you take, if you wish to progress with this discipline.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course you will:
·have made some pieces you can use in your home, show off as a feature in your garden or give to friends and family as gifts.
· have developed a knowledge and understanding of the material and its potential.
·gain a confidence in working with clay and be aware of the best methods that suit you and how you can develop and take this knowledge further.
This course will more than likely leave you wanting more!
Please note: It is not possible for students to change booked sessions around in the event of non-attendence or arriving late to class.Due to the number of students in the room and the nature of the subject it causes an issue with health and safety regulations. Too many students in the room makes the studio too busy, therefore imposing on H&S, the enjoyment of the other students in the class and it stretches the tutor further than necessary, impacting on the quality and structure of the teaching.
If we start to allow students to alternate the days in which they attend the course it becomes very difficult to keep track of. Please only come to the lessons you are booked on to. As the course is packed full of vital information, we would encourage students to attend all lessons to get the best out of the course.

Your Tutor

Katy Mcdonald
Katy McDonald is a practicing artist, interested in using a combination of different, often traditional methods and techniques to produce contemporary outcomes. Her work is influenced by various street artists and also shapes, patterns and growths seen in nature and decay. She is inspired by the transition of scuplture and street art escaping the gallery to develop a new life and a new audience outside the conventional exhibition environment.
Katy has a passion for working with clay and helping students progress with this medium while developing their ideas and projects.
For further information on your tutor and her artistic practice please visit katymcdonaldart.weebly.com

Fees

Tuition fees:
£138.00
Materials Costs:
£24.00
Total Cost:
£162.00

Sessions

No. of sessions:
8

Day

Date

Times

Sat

28/09/2019

9:00-12:00

Sat

05/10/2019

9:00-12:00

Sat

12/10/2019

9:00-12:00

Sat

19/10/2019

9:00-12:00

Sat

02/11/2019

9:00-12:00

Sat

09/11/2019

9:00-12:00

Sat

23/11/2019

9:00-12:00

Sat

30/11/2019

9:00-12:00

Your next step

Pay by credit or debit card over the telephone. Please call the Adult Education Office on 01223 278002 Monday to Thursday 9am to 7pm and Friday 9am to 4pm during term time and Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm out of term time.

Pay by cheque, made payable to Hills Road Sixth Form College. Please send you cheque together with a completed enrolment form, which you can find by clicking on ‘How to Enrol’ on the left hand side, to the Adult Education Office, Hills Road Sixth Form College, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8PE. Please enclose a SAE if you require a receipt.

Please note full refunds can only be made if a class is cancelled or closed at the discretion of the College, or if you cancel your enrolment no less than two weeks before the course starts.